Sex, Drugs, and Pilot Season: Confessions of a Casting Director

The Drama Book Shop presents, in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications, Sex, Drugs, and Pilot Season: Confessions of a Casting Director - A talkback, signing, and live podcast recording.

About the book: From his humble beginnings growing up on his grandfather's dairy farm in New York, JOEL THURM became one of the most admired, powerful, and accomplished casting directors in Hollywood, Early on, Thurm's instincts proved beyond reproach when he recognized John Travolta as much more than a teen idol, casting him in the TV movie THE BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE. It was during his years as Vice President of Talent and Casting for both Paramount Television and NBC that he discovered the remarkable Phoenix family, from which River and Joaquin became A-list movie stars. With his insider's knowledge, irreverent style, and biting wit, Thurm tells the stories of his key involvement in such iconic movies and shows as GREASE, AIRPLANE!, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, CHEERS, TAXI, THE LOVE BOAT, FANTASY ISLAND, STARSKY & HUTCH, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, THE GOLDEN GIRLS, KNIGHT RIDER, THE COSBY SHOW, HILL STREET BLUES and many, many more. SEX, DRUGS, AND PILOT SEASON is the ultimate backstage pass to the boardrooms of Manhattan and the executive suites of Hollywood, where show-business history was made.

"A true talent at the top of the biz. We are all lucky to know him! And a great guy! It's fun and I love it."

-JOHN TRAVOLTA

"Thank you for pretty much everything in my life."

-TED DANSON

About the Author: As one of the most admired and accomplished casting executives in Hollywood, Joel Thurm has put his stamp on many of the most admired and popular shows in TV history, including (alphabetically) The A-Team, The Bob Newhart Show, Charlie’s Angels, Cheers, The Cosby Show, Family, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Fantasy Island, Hill Street Blues, Knight Rider, L.A. Law, The Love Boat, The Rookies, Starsky & Hutch, and Taxi.

Thurm played a key role in the production of three of Hollywood’s most enduringly popular movies: Airplane, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Grease, for which he performed many producing duties, including an uncredited re-write. As a producer, his credits include John Travolta’s first dramatic starring role in the top-rated TV movie, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble and It’s My Party, an initial box-office failure that has become a cult favorite.

Thurm’s career in casting began overnight when legendary Broadway producer David Merrick tapped him to become casting director for Pearl Bailey’s now-legendary all-Black company of Hello, Dolly! Thurm lives in Los Angeles. His work as a photographer has been the subject of gallery shows both in Provincetown and Los Angeles. He began to develop a unique style called “Fantastical Realism” – whereby he takes one of his original photos and turns it into images that approach being impressionist paintings – full of life and color and often, humor.

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The Drama Book Shop, 266 West 39th Street, New York, United States